Renault in a bind as Kubica injured

**4me2** · 6th February 2011

Renault in a bind as Kubica injured

Sunday 6th February 2011

Renault in a bind as Kubica injured

As Formula One awaits word on Robert Kubica's condition, already the question is being raised as to who could replace the Pole.

Kubica was airlifted to hospital after crashing into a wall at the Rally Ronde di Andora in Italy on Sunday morning.
His injuries, although not life-threatening, are reportedly very serious.
Some are claiming he has suffered fractures to his hands, leg and hip while others say both his hands are broken.
But as yet, nothing has been revealed about the Pole's condition although it's clear to say he will be out of action for a while.
This has put Renault in a bind as the team has Vitaly Petrov as Kubica's 2011 team-mate and with only one year of experience under his belt - and his lack of results in 2010 almost resulting in his contract not being renewed - the Russian is by no means ready to lead Renault's charge.
As for test drivers, Bruno Senna and Romain Grosjean, are the teams official third and reserve drivers, however, neither set the F1 stage alight during their time out on track.
This has already prompted speculation that Renault may have to look outside the team with Nick Heidfeld and Force India test driver Nico Hulkenberg's names already being thrown into the mix.

http://www.planet-f1.com/news/18227/...Kubica-injured

**4me2** · 6th February 2011

Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica injured in rally crash

Kubica is one of the two main drivers for the Formula 1 Renault team

Formula 1 star Robert Kubica has suffered fractures to his left arm and left leg after a high-speed rally crash in Italy, BBC Sport understands.

The 26-year-old Pole crashed into a church wall and was air-lifted to a hospital near Genoa.
His British-based Renault team said the driver was conscious, with a statement due later after further medical checks.
It looks unlikely Kubica will be ready for the new Formula 1 season, which starts on 13 March in Bahrain.

His injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, but following surgery in 2003 after a serious road accident as a passenger that left him with titanium bolts in his arm, there will be doubts about his ability to continue in the sport.
A Renault statement read: "Robert Kubica suffered an accident at high speed this morning while competing in the Ronde di Andora Rally.

"The driver was airlifted to Pietra Ligure Hospital where he is currently undergoing medical checks. His co-driver [Jakub Gerber] is fine."
They added that another statement would be issued as soon as more information was known about their driver's condition.
Reports suggested that Kubica was 4.6km from the start of the Ronde di Andora rally when his Skoda Fabia crashed on Sunday.

The former driver for the BMW Sauber team regularly competes in rallies and was driving a week after a successful testing session in the new Renault car in Valencia , ahead of the season's opening grand prix in Bahrain.
Kubica was due to lead Renault alongside Russian Vitaly Petrov of Russia, who has a long-term contract to race for the team after signing for the 2011 and 2012 season over the winter.
The reserve drivers for 2011 include Bruno Senna - who raced for Hispania last season - and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who drove for Renault as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009.
It is likely that either of these drivers will be called up for the second pre-season test which starts in Jerez on Thursday.

Kubica was an impressive performer last season to finish in eighth position in the drivers' table, securing second at Melbourne and a third in Monaco and Belgium.
The Krakow-born star also suffered a bad crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 2007 and was forced to miss one race. He returned to the same track the following year to claim his first Formula 1 victory.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/9388940.stm

**4me2** · 7th February 2011

Renault driver Robert Kubica wakes after major surgery

Renault driver Robert Kubica has regained consciousness as he begins his recovery following seven-hour surgery.

The 26-year-old's right hand was partially severed and he suffered arm and leg fractures when he crashed during a rally in Italy on Sunday.
"The doctors have said he has taken important steps forward," said Kubica's agent Daniele Morelli.
Renault said in a statement that Kubica had been able to move his fingers and had talked to his relatives.
"He was briefly woken up by the doctors," said the Renault statement.
"He was also able to move his fingers, which is encouraging for the rest of his recovery process.

"In order to avoid any physical stress, Robert will be put under gentle medication in order to sleep for the next 24 hours at least.
"Meanwhile, the doctors will decide how they will treat his elbow and shoulder fractures. Robert may have to undergo surgery once again for this, but not for a few days."
Pole Kubica crashed after his car hit a church wall as he approached the start of the Ronde di Andora rally and it was reported that his Formula 1 career could be at risk as a consequence of the injuries.
The 26-year-old, who finished eighth in the drivers' table last season, was in an induced coma overnight after seven hours of surgery before waking on Monday morning.

"Kubica is conscious, he talks and understands what has happened," said Dr Giorgio Barabino.
"The first thing he thought about was his co-driver and was informed about his condition.
"Things are going well considering that there was substantial damage. There were huge difficulties we faced and the necessary measures were taken immediately.
"Kubica lost a lot of blood, that is why the first hour was critical. He was unconscious and could not be operated on when he arrived at the hospital. He needed many transfusions during the stabilising process as well as during the very long surgery."

Professor Mario Igor Rossello was part of the surgery team and said it would take a week to determine if the operation had been a complete success.
"The hand is warm and this means the operation went well," said Rosello.
"It was a difficult operation. We need at least six days to check if the circulation of the blood in the limb responds as it should."
Renault team boss Eric Boullier, who is due to visit Kubica along with the driver's team-mate Vitaly Petrov, told the BBC on Monday: "When you have a big crash like Robert suffered on Sunday, doctors always predict the worst-case scenario.
"Definitely he took seven hours in the surgery room to repair his hand and his arm.
"This morning it was really fine - they needed 24 hours to make sure he recovered completely and it looks like this morning they are all happy.
"He is definitely out for a couple of months. The recovery will be quicker than one year but it is a bit early to know exactly how long he will need."

Kubica was reportedly trapped in his car for more than an hour while specialist cutting equipment arrived at the crash scene before he airlifted to the Santa Corona hospital near Genoa, where the operation took place.
Renault have defended Kubica's decision to participate in a rally so close to the start of the F1 season, which begins on 13 March.
"He loves rallying. We knew the risks and so did he," added Boullier told Italian news agency Ansa.
"We didn't want a robot or a corporate man for a driver. It was agreed together."
Renault will decide who will replace Kubica in his absence once they have a better idea of how long it will take for him to recover.
The former driver for the BMW Sauber team regularly competes in rallies and was driving a week after a successful testing session in the new Renault car in Valencia, ahead of the season's opening grand prix in Bahrain.
He had been due to lead the Renault team alongside Russian Petrov, who has a long-term contract after signing for the 2011 and 2012 campaign during the winter.
The reserve drivers for 2011 include Bruno Senna - who raced for Hispania last season - and Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who drove for Renault as a replacement for Nelson Piquet Jr in 2009.
"We are already starting to think and work on a contingency plan," added Boullier.
"We don't know yet, we are actually waiting to know how long it will take because [if it is] a short-term replacement we will take one of our reserve drivers; if he has to be longer we may have to consider different options."
It is likely that one of the reserve drivers will be called up for the second pre-season test, which starts in Jerez on Thursday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/9389513.stm

**liveseytowers** · 7th February 2011

Shame I was looking forward to seeing what he could do this year. I'd like to see Nick Heiddelt (spacker spelling) get the drive. The others just don't have the experience.

**tips** · 7th February 2011

Originally Posted by liveseytowers

Shame I was looking forward to seeing what he could do this year. I'd like to see Nick Heiddelt (spacker spelling) get the drive. The others just don't have the experience.

i agree Grosjean and Senna are probaly not up to the lead drive for Renault. Though with the past interest I wouldn't be surprised if they are looking to Kimi for the job. Failing that I can see them going to Force India for Sutil or possibly Hulkenberg.